Knitting-machine.



E. E. RANDALL.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. 1912.

l mfiwmm Patemm June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- E. E. RANDALL.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 1912.

Ru 1 9 1 KW 1 m J M D mm P 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. E. RANDALL. KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, l9l2.

5 1 9 l 5 1 9 H H J m m t a P are nmson ELRANDALL, or mmmxnn, rumors, A$SIGNOR To PARAMOUNT KNITTING COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

KNITTING-MACHINE. v

il,]lt3,552.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1915.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDISON E. RANDALL, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Kankakee, county of Kanka-kee, State of Illinois, have invented an Improvement in Knitting-Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention is particularly designed for an automatic knitting machine in which the complete article, such as a stocking, is knitted from one end to the other entirely automatically, and in which the successive stockings are united to form one continuous web.

The present invention is particularly concerned with mechanism for securing the req- The invention is particularly designed for use in connection with the fabric in which the knitting is changed from ribbed to plain work. When this change takes place one set of needles is thrown out of action, and if an improper amount of tension is placed upon the knittedweb, the fabric will unravel and seriouslyinjure, if not destroy, the value of the lmitted article. I

The invention is particularly designed for use in an automatic knitting machine, for knitting stockings of the type shown in the reissue patent to Huse and Huse, No; 12,917, granted February 9, 1909, in which the work performed is the knitting of stockings, and in its more elaborate form the machine is designed for the knitting in one continuous web of a series of stockings automatically 'and completely. In this machine the usual two sets of needles, such as the dial and cyl inder needles, are employed and the machine is arranged to knit as required either ribbed, plain circular or reciprocating work, In this particular form of machine the knitting I begins at the toe. end of the stocking, and when a womans ribbed leg stockingis to be knitted the operation is as follows. The cylinder needles knit a short section in com-' plete circular courses to connect with the uisite tension on the fabric for castingofi previous stocking; the machine then begins reciprocat ng knitting narrowing and Widening to produce the toe pouch; upon the completion of the toe pouch the machine again knits in complete circular courses to form the foot portion; next reciprocating knitting and widening is performed to knit the heel pouch; on completion of the heel pouch the plain circular knitting is resumed to constitute the ankle portion if a plain ankle portion as usual is desired; then the second set ofneedles, as the dial needles, are thrown into action and the machine proceeds with the knitting of the ribbed leg to the required length. Upon the completion of the ribbed leg the dial needles are thrown out of action and a web of plain circular knitting is formed which may be used in the finish of the stocking, but which in any event constitutes the connection to the next succeeding stocking. The operation then proceeds as before continuously. If sufiicient pull be given the web beneath the line where the dial needles drop out of action the fabric will be unraveled.

More specifically considered the invention comprises mechanism for taking up the knitted web including a main take-up and an auxiliary take-up or grab automatically con trolled to effect the desired results.

In its preferred form this mechanism is so arranged and constructed that the web is seized by the main take-up above the point at which the ribbed knitting is completed and the auxiliary take-up seizesthe web as close as possible to the point at which the stitches are being formed. Both devices are therefore arranged to reach well up within the needle cylinder. These and other features of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanying description and claims, and will be particularly pointed out in the a pended claims. The drawings illustrate only so much of a knitting machine as is n'ecessary'to a disclosure'and an understanding of the present invention.- I

As the structural features of the present invention are concerned entirely with the control of the knitted Web after it has passed the needles, it is not necessary herein to illustrate or describe the part of the knitting machine particularly concerned in the formation of the web;

An I automatic knittingmachine of the responds more closely inits specific form to some of the mechanism shown in the patent to Mayo No. 726,178, granted April 21, 1903, to which reference may also be made for details of the construction unnecessary here to illustrate.

The drawings herein illustrate a specific embodiment of this invention in a somewhat diagrammatic and simplified manner inv order that the invention may be clearly and simply disclosed. It is to be understood, however, that the construction even of the preferred form, the arrangementof various elements, their proportion and location are dependent upon the particular type of machine and their structural requirements.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a front elevation of so much of a knitting machine as is necessary to understand the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a stand at the bottom of the machine. Fig. 3 isa view in cross section taken on the line a2-m of Fig. 2.

, Fig. 4 is a left hand side elevation partially 'in cross sectionof the machine. Fig. 5 is an enlarged. side elevation partially in central vertical cross section of the parts shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevation of the cylinder and parts innnediately connected therewith. Fig. 7 is a detail in side elevation and partially in vertical cross section of the upper end of the vertical screw and .connected parts. Fig. 8 is atop plan view partially in horizontal cross section of the main take-up proper and connected parts.

The machine as shown comprises a suitable framework having the legs 1, the top 2 and the central tie plate 3, and upon this framework are supported for the most part the various instrumentalities, which make up the complete machine.

The usual needle cylinder, carrying the usual cylinder needles, is indicated at4 and the dial plate carrying the usual dial needles at 5, but the respective sets of needles,'their operating instrumentalities and the various other instrumentalities required in the formation of the knitted web are not herein illustrated, as. they maybe of any familiar and desired type.

The-main shaft of the machine is shown at 6, and is provided with fast and loose pulleys 7 and 8 respectively, these pulleys togetherv with a suitable form of belt shifting mechanism being illustrated as showin a means for starting and stop ing the knitting machine. As'shown the be t shifter 9 is fulcrumed at110 on a bracket 11 projecting from the frame. A bell-crank lever fulcrumed in the bracket 12, PI'OJGCtlIlg from the tie plate 3, has one arm 13 connected by a chain 130, running over an idler 131 to i the lower end of the belt shifter 9, and its other arm 14: pivoted to the end of a rod 15 extending to the rear of the framework and provided with a transversely projecting end 16, so that when this end 16 is pushed rearwardly the belt will be shifted from the fast pulley 7 to the loose pulley 8 and the knitting machine stopped.

An auxiliary shaft 17 is mounted transversely near the top of the framework in suitable bearings and driven from the main shaft 6 by suitable driving connections as in said Patent No. 726,178, a detailed illustratration of which is unnecessary and would only obscure the drawings.

' Suitable pattern mechanism herein shown as comprising the barrel 18 provided with cam surfaces and pins carried by a pattern shaft 19 journaled in standards 20 projecting from the tie plate 3, a pattern chain 147, a sprocket wheel 148 loosely mounted on said shaft 19, a pawl 151, and suitable operating mechanism operated from the main shaft and similar in general to corresponding parts in the said Patent No. 726,178 is provided. A detailed illustration or description of the pattern mechanism and the means for operating it may be had by refer ence to said patent and is unnecessary here.

The knitted web is indicated in outline at 21. It extends from the interior of the cylinder vertically downward and about an idler roll 22 mounted on a stand 23 secured to the floor at the bottom of the machine. It passes from this idler roll about a roll 24 secured to a shaft 25 journaled in brackets 26 carried by the cross piece 27 secured to the two rear legs of the framework and from thence the knitted web passes from the machine.

The roll 24: is roughened on its periphery so-as to grip the knitted web and for this purpose may be covered with sand paper or emery cloth. The knitted web is maintained in contact with the peripheryof the roll 24 by the weight of a roll 28 mounted in slottcd' bearings in the brackets 26. The shaft 25 is driven frictionally or yieldingly so as to insure the drawing of the knitted web through the machine, but so as to prevent any more tension than is necessary for that purpose being placed upon the web. As a suitable means for this purpose the shaft 17 is provided with a pulley 29, the shaft 25 with a pulley 30 and a belt 31 connects these pulleys.- These elements are so arranged that the belt 31 will slip on one or the other of the pulleys when there is any material amount of peripheral resistance at the roll 24 and thus prevent any undue amount of tension being applied to the knitted web 21. The shaft 25 is also rovided with a disk 32 carrying on its perip ery one or more freely pivoted hooks 33. During the ordinary rotation of the shaft the hook .33 will hang in vertical position from its pivot, but. if: the 7 speed of rotation of the sha'ft25 be increased y the hook 33 will tend to assume a position radial of the shaft 25 due to centrifugal force and will then come into the path :of the end 16 of the belt shifting connections and secure the shifting of the belt from the fast w to the loose ulley and the consequent stopping of the nittmg machine. This mechanism is provided as a suitable meansfor stopping the machine if for-any reason the formation of the knitted web ceases, as by M the breaking of the thread. Should this happen the friction drive 31 at onoes up the shaft 25 and the machine is stopped. The main take-up is shown as supported from a carriage 34 having-a vertiealmove 3o ment beneath the cylinder. This carriage is provided with a depending sleeve 35 mounted to slide vertically on a vertical screw threaded shaft 36. It is also slotted at its forward edge as indicated at 37in front of as the. shaft 36 toslide vertically upon a vertieal rod. 38. The screw threaded shaft 36 is journaled at'its upper end in a bracket 39, shown as secured to the side of the cylinder 4, and is so journaled at its lower end 40in the stand 23. (The screw thread onthe shaft terminates short of the top of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 7, and the upper end ofthe shaft is provided with a bevel gear 41 intermeshin as with a bevel gear 42 carried on a sha 4&3 journaled at one end in the bracket 39 and in its opposite end in a bracket 44, depending from the top plate 2. The shaft 43 carries at its opposite end a bevel gear to 45 intermeshing with a bevel gear 46 carried by the shaft 17. it will thus be seen that the shaft 17 through the connections just described operates to give continuous rotation to the screw threaded shaft36.

The vertical rod 38, upon which the carriage 34 also slides, is looselyv secured at its uxpier endin the bracket 39, and at itslower e a-slot .47 in the stand 23, so that the rod 38inay be. moved toward and from the so screw-threaded shaft 36. A spring 48 attachedto thestand 23 acts normally to hold the shaft 38 away from and parallel with the screw threaded shaft 36.

The main take-up carriage is moved downut wardlysliding on the shaft 36 and the rod 38 by its own weight and in addition by. an adjustable weight 4C9, shown as secured to a cord or chain 52 passing about an idler roll 51 secured in brackets 52 near the top of the framework, then about an idler roll 53 secured in brackets 54: on the stand 23 and then connected at ti t-to. the sleeve 35. The main take-up carriage is moved up wardly by means of the screw threaded shaft 36. For this purpose a pin 55 is mounted to slide horizontally in the sleeve 35. When the in 55 is in its inner position toward the shat t 36 it enters between the-screw threads in the shaft 36 so; that as the shaft 36 revolves the carriage will be slowly raised.

. The pin 55 is; projected inwardly into engagementwith the screw threaded shaft 36 at anvposition vertically in which the car riage 3i may be by swinging the vertical rod 38 towardthe shaft 36. The rod 38 at the required or predetermined time is thus moved by suitable means controlled by the pattern mechanism 1 8. As herein shown this means comprises a sort of bell-crank lever fulcrumedat-fi'? on the tie plate 3 having one arm 58 extending in front of the rod 38 and havi its other arm 59 coiiperating with .suitab e cam surfaces 60 formed on the side of the barrel 18, shown as the pattern mechanism. It will thus be seen that accordingto. the timing of the pattern mechanism the bell-crank lever is rocked to move the rod 38 andoause the projection of the pin 55 between the screw threads of the shaft 36 and consequently at the required or predeterniinedtime the elevation of the main take-up carriage.

When the take-up carriage reaches its uppermost position it is caught and held and disconnected from the screw threaded portion of the shaft 36 by the outward movement of the pin 55. A suitable form of latch is provided for holding the carriarg'e in its uppermost position. This latch is shown at 6.1 carried by lever 62. The carriage on its front face is beveled upwardly, as indicated at 63, so that as the carriage moves upwardly this beveled portion will slide over and push back the latch 61, which will then snap beneath the carriage 34 and hold it in its uppermost position. The lever 62 is fulcrumed at 64? on a bracket 66 carried by the framework and extends transversely in front of the rod 38 and is drawn toward the carriage by a suitable spring 65.

When the carriage reaches its uppermost position and is caught by the latch 61the pattern mechanism 18 releases the rod 38 so that it returns to its ositi-on parallel with the shaft 36 under the influence of the spring 48, and the pin 55 is projected outwardly by the termination of the screw threaded portion of the shaft, leaving the carriage 34. free toslide vertically on the shaft 36 when released by the latch 61.

The latch 61 is released from beneath the carriage 34: to allow it to begin its down ward movement at the predetermined and required time by connections to suitable pattern mechanism such as the barrel 18. In the particular construction illustrated the free endof the lever 62 rests upon an arm 67 depending" from a bracket 68 secured to the frontof the cylinder 4. This free end ofthe lever is curvedand located in the ldd path of a lever'69 pivoted at to a bracket 1;seoured to the top plate. An ad ustable rod 72 is pivoted at 73 to the lever 69, and pivoted at its lo'wer end to a lever 74. The lever 74 is pivoted at'90 to a bracket 91 meing from thetie plate 3, and the lever 74 1s curvedat its lower end. and located in the path of a pattern-projection 75 suitably mounted on the barrel 18. This projection is so' located that at the predetermined; and desired time it elevates the rod 72 thus swinging the free end of the lever 69 to the left against the curved free end of the lever 62 thus swinging the lever 62 toward the front of the machine, and withdrawing the latch 61 from beneath the carriage 34.

The main take-up carriage supports and carries thetake-up device proper adapted to slide freely over the web when moved upward, but to clamp the web throughout when the downward movement commences. In the construction shown this means comprises a fiat upright clamping member 76 adapted to rest upon the rear side of the web and a coiiperating clamping member 77 adapted to press the web against the member 76. The clamping member 77 is shown as a dog curved at its upper front edge and pivoted at 78 to an upright 79 supported on the carriage." A spring 80 acts to swing the coiiperating edge of the clamping member 77 into contact with the member 76, but-allows this edge to move freely downward as the take-up slides up over the web. The two clamping members thus clamp between them the knitted web holding it firmly and securely and in such a manner that the necessary weight may be given the clamp to secure the required degree of tension at the knitting 0a point, and this is done without any danger of injury to the-fabric.

The auxiliary take-up or grab comprises a long rod 81 having at its upper end downwardly inclined projecting teeth 82. This rod is mounted to slide through the bracket 68 and the lower guiding support, such as the tie plate 3, and is given a yielding downward movement through the medium of a spring 83 located between its lower end and the lower support, such as the tie plate 3. The grab is moved upwardly at the. same time as the main take-up by means ofa lug 84 projecting from the carriage 34 and engaging a vertical adjustable projection 85 on the grab rod 81. The auxiliary take-up serves only to increase or control the tension at some given point on the knitted web and this form ofa grab which catches into the web may be used for this purpose without danger of injuring the web, because it is thus employed at only one point and is entirely auxiliary to the main take-up.

The operation of the construction herein illustrated and described as a specific embodiment of the present invention will now amazes main take-up and the auxiliary take-up are in their uppermost positions, it will be seen that the grab is arranged with its teeth very close to the knitting point, that the clamping line of the main take-up is well up within the cylinder. The web being drawn down by the slight pull exerted-by the roughened surface of theroll 24 and the friction drive 31'will be drawn evenly and steadily,with little tension on the needles in action and will slide freely down past the curved teeth 82 of the grab and between the clamping members 76 and 77 of the main take-up. Assuming also that the machine has completed the knitting of the heel pouch, which in'this case.is assumed to lie toward the front of the machine, and is just beginning ribbed knitting, the dial needles having come into action, then it is necessary .to place more tension u on the web to secure the proper casting o of the stitches from the needles in action during ribbed knitting. The pattern mechanism 18 is so timed as to come into action releasing the latch 61 from beneath the carriage 34. The carriage 34 then drops causing the main take-up members 76 and 77 to clamp the web and the weight of the carriage 34 and its supported parts then hangs upon the web and this weight is increased by the weight supplied at 49 and the carriage 34 thus weighted begins to slide down over the screw 36 and the rod 38. But if this were the only instrumentality applying tension to the web the tension would be unequal around the circular courses of the knitting at the knittin points because of the existence of the bee pouch and imperfect knitting would result. But immediately upon release of. the latch 61 and the dropping of the carriage 34 the lug 84 is lowered from beneath the-projection 85 and the teeth 82 of the grab catch and hang upon this portion of the knitted web and it is moved downward yieldingly and independently of the main takeup by its spring 83, which is arranged to produce suflicient tension on that side of the web to equalize the tensionthroughout the web. The action thus continues until the ribbed knitting has progressed to such an extent that the tension exerted by the main take-up will be sufiiciently equal throughout the circular course of the knitting at the knitting point when the grab will be stopped as by its head engaging the bracket 68 in its downward movement and the web will continue downwardly under the influence of the main take-up again sliding over the teeth 82 of the grab.

The pattern mechanism is so arranged as to cause the main take-up to clamp and the auxiliary take-up to catch the web at a dill lib

meat

through thebell-cr'ank levers 58 and-59, to

move-the rod 38"toward' the screw 36 thus projecting the pin between' the" screw threads of thescrew 36. When thecarriag'e 34 reaches its uppermost? position the beveled recess 63 slides over'the' latch 61, the

pin 55' is withdrawn and the carriage is caught by thelatch 61 in its uppermost position, ready, under the control of the patternmechanismyagain to clamp. the web, the

auxiliary take-up at the same time being raisedint'o'uppermost position by the lug 84. Thus the web is free from the additional tension caused by the'inain' take-up device upon the completion of the ribbed knitting, so that again no undue'strain'is placed upon the portion of the web where the dial needles have dropped out of action and raveling is impossible. Du'ringthe' knitting of the ensuing portion of the stocking and until ribbed knitting"- is again; to'b'egin', the-web, is taken up simnlv by the roll 24 and its friction drive.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with operating means for the needles, of pattern mechanism; for controlling the operation of said needles'to produce either ribbed, plaincir'cular or reciprocating work as desired, a take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to slide over the web when moved'upwardly and to clamp the web when moved do nwardly, and pattern controlled means-for elevating'the take-up and releasing it to clamp the web.

2. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with operating means' for the needles, of pattern mechanism for controlling the' operation of said needles to produce either ribbed, plain circular or reciprocating work as desired, a take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to 'slide'over the web when moved upwardly and to clamp the web when moved downwardly, pattern con; trolled means for elevating the take-up and releasing it to clamp the web, and means connected to said take-up and acting therethrough to place tension on the web during the downward movement of the take-up.

3. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with operating means for the needles, of pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said needles to produce W'OIli as. desired, a take-u either ribbed, plain circular or reciprocating work as desired, a take-up for the fabricbeingknit adapted to slide over'the web when moved upwardly and to clamp the web when moved downwardly, pattern controlled nie'an's'for elevating the take-up and releasing it toclamp the web, and an auxiliary take-updevice mounted to slide atv one side of the-web and to catch in one side of the web apes its said downward movement.

49% a circular knitting machine, the combination with operating means for the needles, ofpattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said needles to produce eitherribbed, plain circular or reciprocatin'g'work as desired,'a take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to slide over the web whenniovedupwardly'and' to clamp the web' when'moved downwardly, attern controlled means for elevating the ta re-up. and releasing it'to'clamp the web, an 'auxiliary'takeup-devi'ce mounted to slide atone side of the Web and to catch in one side of the web upon its said downward movement, and yielding means for causing the; downward movement ofthe' auxiliary take-up device and' means for securing its upwardmove- 'menjt from the take-up.

5. In a circular kntt'ing machine, the combination with operating means for the 5 needles, of pattern mechanlsm for control- 9 lin the operation of said needles to produce eit er ribbed, plain circular or reciprocating for the fabric being knit adapted to sli e over the web when moved upwardly and to clamp the web whe'n'm'oved downwardly, elevating means for said take-up, pattern" controlled means to effect theeng'ageme'nt' of the take-up and the "elevating'means and secure the elevation of thetake-up and 'to release the take-up from the elevating means atapredetermined time allowing the take-up to clamp and hang'upon' the web. 7

6. In a circular" knitting machine, the combination with operating means for the needles, of pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said needles to produce either ribbed, plain circular or reciprocating" work as desired, a take-up for the fabric being'knitadapted to slide over the web when moved upwardl and to clamp tli'eweb when moved 'dow wardly, elevating means for aid take-up, pattern controlled means t effect the engagement of thetake-up and the elevati'ngjmeans and secure the elevation of the take-up-and to release the take-up from the elevating means at a predetermined time allowing the takeup to clamp and hang upon the web, a grab mounted to slide at one side of the web and to catch the web upon its downward movement, and means for securingthe elevation of the grab from the take-up.

-7. ln a circular knitting machine, the combination with operating means for the needles, of pattern mechanism for controlmoved downwardly, elevating means for said take-up, pattern controlled means to effect the engagement of the take-up and the elevating means and secure the elevation of the take-up and to release the take-up from the elevating means at a predetermined time allowing the take-up to clamp and hang upon the web, a grab device mounted to slide at one sideof the web and to catch the web upon its downward movement, a spring connected to the grab and acting to move the same down yieldingly, the take-up acting upon its upward movement to raise and hold the grab in its elevated position and acting when released to-release the grab to downward movement. I

8. In a circular knitting machine the com? bination with operating means for the needles, of mechanism for controlling the operation of said needles to produce either and to clamp the web when moved down-' ribbed or plain circular work as desired, a take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to slide over the web when moved upwardly wardly, means to cause the take-up to clamp the web at a point above a change from ribbed to plain work upon or about the time of the commencement of the knitting of a succeeding section of ribbed work.

9. In a circular knitting machine the combination with operating means for the needles to produce either ribbed or plain circular work as desired, of a vertical screw threaded shaft and means for rotatingit, a

carriagemountedto slide parallel to said shaft, a take-up comprising web-clamping jaws mounted on said carriage and means automatically actuated to connect the said carriage to the said shaft and cause the upward movement of the carriage.

10. In a circular knitting machine the combination with operating means for the needles to produce either ribbed or plain circular work as desired, of a vertical screw threaded shaft and means for rotating it, a carriage mountedto slide parallel to said shaft, a take-up comprising web-clamping jaws mounted on said carriage and means automatically actuated to connect the said carriage to the said shaft and cause the upward movement of the carriage, a latch to catch and retain the carriage in elevated position and means automatically actuated to release the latch andallow the take-up and carriage to clamp and hang upon the web.

11. In a circular knitting machine the combination of a needle cylinder, a two part take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to slide over the web when moved upwardly and to clamp the web between its parts when moved downwardly, and means for elevating the take-up and causing it to clamp the web at a point well up in the cylinder,

12. In a circular knitting machine the combination with operating means for the needles, of pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said needles to produce either ribbed or plain work as desired, a take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to slide over the web when moved upwardly and to clamp the Web when moved downwardly, and means for elevating the take-up and causing it to clamp the web upon a plain knitted portion after a change has been efi'ected from the knitting of said plain portion to the knitting of a consecutive ribbed portion.

13. In a circular knitting machine the combination with operating means for the needles, of pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said needles to produce eitherribbed or, plain work as desired, a take-up for the fabric being knit adapted to slide over the web when moved upwardly and to clamp the web when moved downwardly, and means for elevating the take-up and causing it to clamp the web ,upon a plain knitted portion after a change/has been effected from the knitting of said plain portion to theknitting of a consecutive ribbed portion, an auxiliary take-up device mounted to slide at one side of the web and to catch in one side of the said plain knitted portion upon its downward movement.

7 In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDISON E. RANDALL. Witnesses:

DUNCAN W. EVANS, DAVID LAVERY. 

